Selection interface system

ABSTRACT

A user selection interface system comprises one or more circular selectors linked to selectable characteristics, and a display linked to the selectors, for display of an image which corresponds to the selected characteristics. The interface is typically linked to a database comprising stored image and other information which corresponds to the selectable characteristics, whereby an image that corresponds to an item which meets a selected characteristic is retrieved and displayed. Information other than the image which corresponds to the selectable characteristics may also be retrieved and displayed. In some embodiments, the stored images comprise a single image, which matches all the selected characteristics. In alternate embodiments, the displayed image comprises a composite image that is based upon stored images which correspond to different selected characteristics. In some embodiments, the user selection interface comprises a graphic user interface. In alternate embodiments, the user selection interface comprises a mechanical interface. Some preferred embodiments of the user selection interface provide links for merchandising functions, such as for ordering, purchasing, inventories, and/or shipping.

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/444,329 filed 22 May 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,254,785, which is aContinuation in Part Application claiming priority from U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/357,803, filed 3 Feb. 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,013,which is a Continuation Application claiming priority from U.S.application Ser. No. 09/507,474, Feb. 17, 2000 now issued as U.S. Pat.No. 6,552,739, Issued 22 Apr. 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to selection interfaces. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to selection and displayinterfaces implemented on a computer or across a network, whereby a usercan select and gain access to an image or other information related toan item or class of items having multiple properties.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The selection of products, parts, commodities, or other selectable itemsis commonly a laborious and time-consuming process, whereby a user orshopper is required to navigate and sort through numerous items that donot even remotely meet the user's requirements. For example, on amerchandising system implemented on a computer, e.g. through an Internetwebsite, while a user may have an indication of one or more desiredfeatures of an item, the user is required to navigate through a largearray of products, typically presented as lists of one or more items ina category. If a product name or brief description sounds remotelyfeasible, the user is then typically required to navigate to moredetailed information regarding the item. An exemplary product category,which presents a multitude of selection choices, is that of wire meshproducts. Wire mesh and wire cloth come in many different combinationsof weave, material, mesh sizes, and wire diameter. Although hundreds ofthousands of different combinations are possible, it may not bepractical for a particular supplier to offer all the combinations. Somecombinations of weave, material, mesh sizes, and wire diameters are alsonot manufacturable, e.g., a wire diameter that is so large the meshopenings are closed up or impossible to weave.

Buyers can often make ordering mistakes in selecting a wire mesh orcloth because the impossible or unavailable combinations are sometimestoo subtle to understand. Ordering the wrong thing can be frustratingfor all those involved. The Internet now makes it possible for users tolog onto a business' website to select and order products.

Suppliers like TWP, Inc. (Berkeley, Calif.) offer at least threefamilies of mesh materials, e.g., woven wire mesh, welded stainlesssteel mesh, and galvanized hardware cloth. The woven wire mesh includesa range of traditional to ultrafine, high-tech alloy, screen materials.The welded stainless steel mesh is a strong, precise material with anaccurate grid pattern and relatively large holes. The galvanizedhardware cloth includes a range of steel mesh protected by a heavy-dutyzinc coating, e.g., for use in outdoor and industrial environments. Suchmaterials are conventionally stocked in 36-inch and 48-inch wide rollsin 100-foot lengths. But rolls up to 300-inches wide can be bought onspecial order.

Wire cloth is the proper name for what is commonly called screen mesh.Such material is known for its high strength, wear resistance, abilityto withstand high temperatures, and long service life. Wire cloth iswoven like textile cloth. So-called market grade wire cloth are wovenwire meshes suitable for general purpose work.

Materials that can be used include stainless steel type 304, brass, orcopper. A line of special woven meshes are available in stainless steeltype 316, aluminum, bronze, inconel, nickel, steel, and epoxy-coatedsteel. The user's choice of metal is determined by the product-operationenvironment and constraining cost considerations.

The wire-mesh hole size, e.g., the distance between two adjacentparallel wires, is a function of both the mesh count and the wirediameter. Changing either will change the opening size. The usualopening sizes vary from one-inch openings down to microscopic. Thechoice of a wire-mesh opening size is determined by the desired sizes ofobjects to be retained or allowed to pass through. The mesh is thenumber of openings in a linear inch, measured from the center of onewire to a point one-inch distant.

Two weaves are conventionally available, plain and Dutch weave. Theplain weave has an over-one/under-one weave. Such type of wire cloth hassquare or rectangular openings, and is the simplest and most commonweave used in screening and separating applications. The Dutch weave iswoven with two different wire sizes, to produce wedge shaped openings.Such weave is generally considered stronger than plain weave and isoften used in filtration.

The typical welded stainless steel wire mesh is formed of wires that arefused together at their junctions onto a grid. Automatic weldingmachines are used that accurately position all the shorter (weft) wiresover the longer (warp) wires and spot-weld the intersections. Thesespecial machines can produce strong, consistent welds without anyburning or discoloration.

The standard welded-stainless-steel-wire-mesh material is type 304stainless steel because of its high corrosion resistance and strength atelevated temperatures. Type 304 stainless steel is also referred to as“18-8”, meaning eighteen percent chromium (18% Cr) and eight percentnickel (8% Ni). TWP, Inc. also provides stainless steel types 304L, 316,316L and other stainless steel alloys on request.

Standard welded wire mesh openings are always square or rectangular, andrange from 0.218 inch and 0.979 inch. Meshes from 4-mesh to 1-mesh areusually stocked, and much larger meshes with 10-inch openings and 0.500inch wire diameter can be obtained on special order.

Galvanized hardware cloth is typically used in partitions, grills,vents, cages and guards, wherever economical, sturdy,corrosion-resistant material is required. Galvanized hardware cloth is alightweight, economical steel mesh that is protected from atmosphericcorrosion by the application of heavy duty zinc coating, e.g., hot-dipgalvanizing. The zinc coating encapsulates the mesh for excellentcorrosion protection and a firm, non-raveling product.

The hardware cloth openings are relatively large compared to those ofwoven mesh, e.g., they range from 0.108 inch to 0.459 inch. Thegalvanizing process slightly decreases the opening size by about0.004-0.006 inches. Several special hardware cloth specifications calledvent meshes offer larger open areas for increased air flow rates.Readily available galvanized hardware cloth is stocked in 2-mesh,4-mesh, and 8-mesh. Other special meshes are manufactured as required.The 2-mesh and 4-mesh is available woven or welded and the 8-meshhardware cloth is woven.

There have been some basic purchasing and selection systems proposed inthe prior art.

R. Burke, Computer System for Allowing a Consumer to Purchase PackagedGoods at Home, U.S. Pat. No. 6,304,855, describes “A system forgenerating images representative of a store shelf includes a retailspace management system for generating information describing productand shelf sizes and locations in three dimensions, and including a codewhich is unique to each product. The products are typically commoditygoods. A product database is used to store images of product packageswhich are accessible using codes unique to each product. Athree-dimensional modeling and display system which takes size andlocation information from the retail space management system andgenerates three-dimensional models of each shelf and product andaccesses the product database using the codes provided by the retailspace management system to obtain images for each product. It generatesa display of each product on each shelf by combining the obtained imagesand the generated three-dimensional models. The consumer may manipulatethe display to change what is being viewed, to examine product packagesand to purchase products.”

M. Wilson, Full Alphanumeric Character Set Entry From a Very LimitedNumber of Key Buttons, U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,471 describes “A graphicalmachine-user interface includes a processor connected to a displayscreen to generate a screen display of individual items in groupstogether with the selector indication. The processor and a displayscreen are used to advantage to provide a rich keyboard function from avery limited set of pushbuttons. For example, five pushbuttonsindicating “up”, “right”, “down”, “left”, and “middle” are recursivelyused to reduce a large two-dimensional matrix of item choices presentedon the display to some subset, e.g., a top, right, bottom, left, ormiddle subset. If the reduction results in a choice of one, then thatitem is selected and output automatically. If the reduction results in asubset with more than one item, then a recursive process is used inwhich the selection process is repeated until the selected subset isreduced to a single item.”

As well, there have been selection and control interfaces disclosed inthe prior art for menu selection or feature control of consumer devices,such as for phone sets, digital music players, and for personal computercontrols.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a telephone control interface 10, similarto BEOTALK™ telephone products, available through Bang & Olufsen, Inc. Aplurality of feature buttons 12 a-12 e provide a selection of aparameter to be controlled on the device 18, while a control 14 and a gobutton 16 provide an interface to control a selected parameter, e.g.such as a headset volume control. A display 20 is provided, such as toindicate a control level. A supplementary display 22 may also beprovided, such as to provide selection-sensitive information 24.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an interface 30 for a digital music player32, similar to an interface of a portable iPod™ digital music player,available through Apple Computers, Inc., of Cupertino, Calif. Arotatable dial 38 and select button 40 allow selection 52 a-52 c withinone or more menus and or submenus 50 a-50 j, such that a user cannavigate and highlight play lists or other system menu items. In someoperation modes, the dial 40 is used to adjust operation parameters,such as play volume. As a user navigates through the menus or controlsoperation parameters, a display 36 provides a graphic representation ofthe menus or control parameters. Other buttons 42,44,46,48 are typicallyprovided, such as to navigate to the beginning or end of a song or playlist.

A connectable USB-compatible PowerMate™ knob selector, available throughGriffin Technology, Inc., comprises a knob that is used as an assignablecontroller in conjunction with a computer. The assignable knob selectoris used in conjunction with internal software, such for controlling oneor more parameters within an application, for shuttling betweenapplications, and/or for controlling operating system parameters.

While graphic user interfaces and selection devices have provided basicmeans for selection for various devices, there is presently no interfaceand/or device which provides an integrated selection and displayinterface, whereby a user can quickly search, sort, and/or select. Thedevelopment of such a system would be a major technological advance.Furthermore, there is currently no interface and/or selection devicewhich provides an integrated selection and display interface, whereby auser can select and gain access to an image or other information relatedto a generic, i.e. available item/class of items having multipleproperties, by which a most nearly matching item is selected from auniverse of such items. The development of such a system would be afurther technological advance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A user selection interface system comprises one or more circularselectors linked to selectable characteristics, and a display linked tothe selectors, for display of an image which corresponds to the selectedcharacteristics. The interface is typically linked to a databasecomprising stored image and other information which corresponds to theselectable characteristics, whereby an image that corresponds to an itemwhich meets a selected characteristic is retrieved and displayed.Information other than the image which corresponds to the selectablecharacteristics may also be retrieved and displayed. In someembodiments, the stored images comprise a single image, which matchesall the selected characteristics. In alternate embodiments, thedisplayed image comprises a composite image that is based upon storedimages which correspond to different selected characteristics. In someembodiments, the user selection interface comprises a graphic userinterface. In alternate embodiments, the user selection interfacecomprises a mechanical interface. Some preferred embodiments of the userselection interface provide links for merchandising functions, such asfor ordering, purchasing, inventories, and/or shipping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art telephone interface;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a prior art dial menu selection andcontrol interface;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a selection and merchandisingsystem, implemented across a network;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a graphical user interface for a product pagedisplay on a web browser operated by a user at a network client site;

FIG. 5 is a flew diagram that represents the navigation that occursbetween product pages as a result of a user clicking on any of fourhyperlink buttons for finer, coarser, thicker, and thinner;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a dial selection and display interface;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a dial selection and display interfacehaving a plurality of dials;

FIG. 8 is a detailed schematic view of a dial and display selectioninterface;

FIG. 9 is a detailed schematic view of an alternate dial and displaywire mesh selection interface;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a selection interface systemcomprising storage, navigation, and display of items matching selectedcriteria;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of selection and merchandising system,implemented across a network on one or more client computers;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of selection and merchandising system,implemented across a network on various client devices;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of selectable nodes on a plurality ofselection axes;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a stand-alone selection interface;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a remote device selection interface;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a game device selection interface;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a machine control interface;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a dial and display system implemented inan automobile, such as for navigation selection and display;

FIG. 19 is a schematic view which shows an exemplary front end and backend to a selective interface system;

FIG. 20 is a diagram that represents a design form for a first productpage;

FIG. 21 is a diagram that represents a design form for a second productpage

FIG. 22 is a diagram that represents a design form for a third productpage; and

FIG. 23 is a diagram that represents a design form for a fourth productpage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 3 illustrates an Internet wire-mesh merchandising system embodimentof the present invention, referred to herein by the reference number100. The system 100 comprises a webserver 102 connected to the Internet104 and many clients or shoppers 106 a-106 k. The web server 102interfaces to the Internet 104 with a network interface controller (NIC)107. An interactive webpage user interface 108 provides functionalitysimilar to Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, Wash.) Active Server Pages(ASP). An Internet file and server 110, such as Microsoft InternetInformation Server (IIS), runs under control of an operating system 112,e.g. such as Microsoft Windows-NT server. The ASP 108 and IIS 110together generate a web presence on the Internet. An expansion bus 114supports a database 116 and a general purpose storage disk 118. VariousMicrosoft Windows-NT services can run without requiring a user to belogged on to the system, e.g. Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft ExchangeServer, Dynamic Host Interface Protocol (DHCP), and even WindowsInternet name Service (WINS) servers. These are preferably stored indisk 118.

The internet wire-mesh merchandising system 100 is readily adapted to awide variety of networks, processors, and operation system environments,wherein information, such as a product image, is changed to reflect acurrent selection. For example, while some system embodiments 100comprise HTML pages which are pulled in response to a selection, theInternet wire-mesh merchandising system 100 is readily integrated intoother environments. Some current system structures pull, i.e. call,information from the database 116, such as through a job description inMy SQL and PHP, wherein images are retrieved from an SQL database andare displayed in response to JAVA commands.

FIG. 4 represents a graphical user interface (GUI) 200 that is presentedto an Internet user on a web browser, e.g. Netscape Communicator andMicrosoft Internet Explorer. Such GUI is generated by the ASP 108 andIIS 110 (FIG. 3) when the user logs on to the uniform resource code(URL) address of the website operator. The GUI 200 typically comprises anavigation window 202, a sample-picture window 204, a ruler 206 forscale, and a comments field 208. The navigation window 202 permits theuser to navigate through wire-mesh product samples that have finer mesh,coarser mesh, thicker wires, and thinner wires, e.g. by clicking on aset of hyperlink buttons 210-213, respectively. The material used in thewire-mesh product pictured in window 204 can be selected by clicking onany of the several buttons 214-222, e.g. such as brass 214, bronze 215,copper 216, galvanized 217, micronic 218, sintered 219, welded stainlesssteel (S/S) 220, woven stainless steel 221, and other materials 222. Itmay occur that meshes and wire sizes available in one material may notbe available in another material. Amplifying remarks about the wire-meshproduct currently selected are provided in the comments field 208.

The website design is such that the discrete products the user can vieware those that the seller operating webserver 102 is offering for sale,or at least are those that the seller can actually produce and deliver.

The ruler 206 is a scale provided for the user to understand a picture224 of a wire-mesh product being presented in window 204. Alternativeviews of the product, if available, can be accessed by clicking on a setof alternative view buttons 226-228. Such alternate views are presentedinstead of an initial sample product in picture 224. If a user iscurious about the price of the product currently displayed in picture224, a price button 230 is used to go to a webpage with current pricing.An order button 232 can be clicked-on to take the user to a productordering webpage. A search button 234 and a help button 236 are providedfor navigation help.

A dataflow 300 in FIG. 5 represents the effects of finer-mesh,coarser-mesh, thicker-wires, and thinner-wires hyperlink buttons 210-213(FIG. 4). For example, a starting position 302 is for a hot-dippedgalvanized 4×4 mesh with 0.035″ diameter wire. A finer navigationdirection 304 takes the user to a hot-dipped galvanized 8-mesh with0.017″ diameter wire in a position 306. Such represents the only choicefor finer (higher count) mesh. A coarser navigation-direction 308 takesthe user to a hot-dipped galvanized 2-mesh with 0.041″ diameter wire ina position 310. Such represents the only choice for coarser mesh from astarting position 302. A thicker wire is not necessitated by requestinga coarser (lower count) mesh, but the thicker 0.041″ represents the onlyproduct configuration the seller chooses to produce and sell. A thickernavigation-direction 312 points to a no-link position 314. Such occurswhen there is no available product choice in that direction. A thinnernavigation-direction 316 takes the user to a hot-dipped galvanized4-mesh with 0.025″ diameter wire in a position 318. Such represents thenext choice for thinner-wire mesh from the starting position 302. Themesh count remains at 4-mesh.

In some system embodiments, the dataflow shown in FIG. 5 is used by aweb designer to implementing the web server 102 (FIG. 3). Some detailedimplementations further comprise webpage fill-in forms like thoseillustrated in FIGS. 20-23. A commercially marketed computer programsold by Filemaker, Inc., called FILEMAKER-PRO, provided good results forsuch forms.

User Selection Interface System. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a dialselection and display interface system 400 a. A plurality of featuredials 404 a-404 j are circular or orbital, i.e. they define a continuousselection path that proceeds about an axial center point, as with arotatable tuning control or selector switch, either as a visual graphicuser interface, e.g. such as within a web page, or alternately as amechanical interface, e.g. such as on a dedicated device having aselection interface 400. Within the graphic user interface 400, a usercan select and hold a dial 404, such as with a mouse or trackball, andmove the dial 404 to incrementally change the selection 514 (FIG. 10),as well as the characteristics of the image 410.

The user selection interface system 400, such as 400 a seen in FIG. 6,provides a powerful and intuitive interface, through which a user canquickly make one or more selections 514, from a universe of availableitems 514 (FIG. 10). An integrated display 408, such as to provide animage 410 and/or other information 413 for an available item 514, ispreferably provided, such that a user may readily navigate to one ormore desired items 514.

In some embodiments of the user selection interface 400, the dials 404are controllable to adjust the speed or sensitivity by which differentselections are queried and or displayed 410,412. For example, in a “fastdial” position, the search and display of available items 514 isperformed with a high dial sensitivity, e.g. a small dial movement mayyield the search and display of one or more new available items 514.Similarly, in a “slow dial” position, the search and display ofavailable items 514 may be performed with a controllably slower orbuffered dial sensitivity, e.g. a larger dial movement or a cease indial movement may be required to search and display of one or more newavailable items 514. As well, the dials may further comprise a “tap”feature, whereby a tap motion in either dial rotation direction mayautomatically move the system to a next available item 514.

In some embodiments of the selection interface system 400, the dials404, i.e. selection wheels 404, appear to rotate when selected andmoved. In alternate embodiments of the selection interface system 400,the dials 404 simply appear as a ring at which a mouse 547 (FIG. 12) ispointed. As well, in some system embodiments, one or more dials 404 maydirectly correspond to a track ball, mouse, or other pointing device,such as to a dedicated mechanical dial. Furthermore, a touch screendisplay 510 may preferably provide a corresponding motion of dials 404to the movement of a stylus or a finger. In alternate system embodiments400, one or more dedicated devices with actual rotation selection wheels404 are movable, such as with a finger or by other body motions.

In some embodiments of the selection interface system 400, two or moredials 404 can be locked together, so that their characteristics turn inunison. In some alternate system embodiments 400, one of the dials 404is selectable to select, i.e. toggle the characteristics of the otherwheels 404. For example, as a user turns the master wheel 404, a labelon an inner wheel 404 changes functions, i.e. features 406, such as butnot limited to transitions from color to shape, from shape to weight, orfrom weight to price.

As seen in FIG. 6, the selection dials 404 a-404 j correspond to aplurality of features 406 a-406 j, whereby a user can view, select,compare and/or purchase one or more items that match the selectedfeatures 406. For example, the features 406 a-406 j shown in FIG. 6correspond to one or more vehicles 423 (FIG. 8), which meet gas mileage406 a, color 406 b, and/or price 406 j. A user U can readily move thedials 404, as desired, to navigate to a desired selection 514.

The wheels 404 or the buttons 414 of the GUI are readily implemented onwireless cell phone type devices, as well as kiosks 574 (FIG. 12), tabletops 106 (FIG. 12), video games 600 (FIG. 16), machine controlinterfaces 610 (FIG. 17), or remote control devices 590 (FIG. 15). Theimage 410 that is shown may be either a static image 410 that is pulledfrom a database 116,516 of images 410, or a composite image 410 which isgenerated on the fly.

As seen in FIG. 6, the dial selection and display interface 400 a alsocomprises a display window 408, whereby one or more images 410 thatcorrespond to a selection 514 are displayed for a user U. Furthermore,other information 412 which corresponds to a selection 514 is alsodisplayed, such as an item name 413 a, a price 413 b, and/or otherinformation 413.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a dial selection and display interface 400b, comprising a feature dial 404 and a plurality of feature toggles 414a-414 b. The exemplary user selection interface 400 b shown in FIG. 7 isimplemented for composite human images 418, such as for criminalprofiling. In use, one or more of the toggles 414 a-414 k within theselection interface 400 b are typically activated, whereby the featuredial 404 becomes active to control a feature 406 (FIG. 6) whichcorresponds to an active toggle 414. For example, in FIG. 7, the hairtoggle 414 d is currently active, such that rotation of the dial 404changes hair features 406 of the composite image 418. Similarly,activation of the face shape toggle 414 b allows the dial to control aface shape feature 406 of the image 418. In alternate embodiments of thedial selection and display interface 400 b, a toggle 414 can preferablycycle through a plurality of active features 406. As well, a featuresensitive dial label or icon may preferably appear on or near thefeature dial 404, to indicate a currently active, i.e. selected, feature406.

In a system embodiment 400 b which provides a composite image 418, basedupon user selections 404,414, selected feature values 520 (FIG. 10) areretrieved from a database 116, 516 (FIG. 10) and are composited toproduce an image 418, such as by layering feature values 120, such as byopaque or translucent, i.e. sprite, layering. In an alternate embodiment400 b, features of known people, e.g. such as known criminals, arequantized and/or categorized and stored, such that as a user navigatesthrough facial features, images of one or more people which match thefeature set may be presented 418 within the display window 408.

Detailed System Embodiments. FIG. 8 is a detailed schematic view of adial and display selection interface system 400 c. FIG. 9 is a detailedschematic view of an alternate dial and display wire mesh selectioninterface 400 d. The selection interface systems 400 c,400 d arepreferably implemented as a user interface implemented through a webbrowser, such as for selection, sales, and/or marketing across theInternet.

The exemplary dial and display selection interface system 400 c shown inFIG. 8 provides an interface by which a user can readily browse throughvehicle products 423. While some embodiments 400 c are used formerchandising the vehicles 423 of one manufacture, such as through asingle vendor computer 550 (FIG. 11), alternate system embodiments 400are readily implemented to merchandise vehicles 423 from a variety ofmanufacturers, such as through a plurality of vendor computers 550 a-550m and a remote, i.e. host computer 660 (FIG. 12).

As seen in FIG. 8, the dial and display selection interface system 400 ccomprises a plurality of feature dials 404 a-404 j, which are rotatablewithin the graphic user interface. The dials 404 a-404 j are adjustableto select from various items 514 (FIG. 10), e.g. such as vehicles 423,which meet desired selection parameters 406, e.g. price, power, and/orsize. For example, a user may initially select vehicles 423 with a sizeparameter 406 b, and may subsequently select from those vehicles 423 tofind vehicles 423 which meet a price selection 406 a. From the vehicles423 which meet both size and price selections 406, the user may thenadjust other selection dials 404, such as a power dial 404 j, to selectother desired characteristics 406.

The dial and display selection interface system 400 c further comprisesan image frame 408, such as within an inner region 409 defined withinone or more concentric dials 404 a-404 j. A display image 410 istypically retrieved and displayed, whereby a user can see a photographor illustration of a currently selected item 514. Other information 422related to the current selection 514 may also be shown, such as embeddedwithin the image frame 408, either as part of the image 410, orcomposited over the image 410. The embedded information 422 typicallycomprises one or more embedded words, such as a product name, a productnumber or code, or other item specifier 422.

As well, other information regarding the selected item 514 may readilybe seen and/or accessed, such as through a quick specification window426 or other field 426 near the image 410, e.g. either to appearautomatically, as a user moves a mouse cursor 437 over the image 410, orto appear through a pop info control 428. For example, in the dial anddisplay selection interface system 400 d implemented for merchandisingwire mesh products, an information button or glyph 428 is located nearthe image frame 408, such that activation reveals information about thea selected mesh.

Additionally, an information screen 430 may be provided, wherebyinformation is readily displayed for the user, such as to display aproduct name 422, pricing information, 432, or other specifications 434.In some system embodiments, the information screen 430 appears once aselected item 514 is set, i.e. frozen.

As seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the dial and display selection interfacesystems 400 c,400 d preferably comprise a wide variety of selectionenhancements. For example, selection locks 424 on one or more selectiondials 404 allow a user to “lock” a selected parameter 406, such as price406 a, whereby only items which strictly meet a locked parameter 406 arepresented to the user, while an unlocked parameter 406 may allow thesystem to approximate a parameter 406, based on available products 514.

In some system embodiments 400, a parameter which is not locked 424 istypically free to show all items 514 which meet the other controlledparameters 404,406. For example, in a system 400 for viewing criminalsuspects, an unselected hairstyle feature allows the system toapproximate any hair parameter 406, based on suspects who meet the otherselected parameters 404,406. In some system embodiments 400, even if auser selects one hairstyle feature, an unlocked hair parameter 406 mayallow the system to approximate a hair parameter 406, based on suspectswho meet the other selected parameters 406.

In some system embodiments 400, locks 424 preferably provide either ahard lock 424, e.g. to rigidly specify a selection, or a soft lock 424,e.g. to specify an approximate lock 424. For example, in a soft lockcondition 424, if a user selects “silver” as a color 506 of a vehicle423 in a vehicle selection system 400 c, the system 400 c may show stockof similar “platinum metallic” or “gray pearl” colors, which may readilymeet the user's needs. In a similar soft lock condition 424 of vehicleselection system 400 c, a user selection of a price 506 may allowvehicles 423 which substantially meet a price selection 506, e.g. withina specified percentage or tolerance, to be displayed.

As seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the dial and display selection interfacesystems 400 c,400 d further comprise a selection speed control 436, toadjust the speed at which items are retrieved and displayed. A selectionlock 426 allows a user to lock in a selected item 514, such as to freezea selection 514 and corresponding image 410 for longer examination.

In some system embodiments 400, the images 410 light up, or highlight apurchase or shopping cart button 454, whereby a user may check stock,order, and/or purchase a selection 514. As well, a navigation button orproduct link 452 may be provided and preferably highlighted, whereby theuser may navigate to other information either within a product sectionof the host site, or to a linked site. A back button 450 may also beprovided, such as to toggle to previous selections 406 and/or selecteditems 514.

As seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the dial and display selection interfacesystems 400 c,400 d also preferably comprise mark item control 446,compare item control 448, and cycle items control 444, whereby a usercan mark, compare, and/or toggle between selections 514. For example, ina motor vehicle selection site 400 c, a user may want to comparefeatures between three compact cars 514, either having the same orsimilar features 406, or having different selected features 506, e.g.the user may opt for a higher performance engine in one car 423, or apremium interior in another car 523, and then compare features.

Some embodiments of the dial and display selection interface systems 400c,400 d also preferably comprise enhanced display and sound features,such as through alternate images 438, 3-D visualization or movie access440, and/or through sound control 442. For example, through alternateimages 438, a plurality of images 410 for a selected item 514 may bepresented to a user, such as front, side, rear, and perspective views ofa vehicle 423. Similarly, alternate images 410 of different items 514which each meet the selection criteria may be cycled.

As well, before selection of parameters 406, the pictures 410 of aproduct section of a website may cycle thru a series of images thatrelate only to products 514 in that section, e.g. such as a sequentialdisplay of different product lines for a manufacturer. For example, uponapproaching a kiosk 574 (FIG. 12, FIG. 14), a user may be presented witha series of sequential images 410 of available items 514. In a selectionsystem 400 c for selection of vehicles 423, a sequence of productfamilies may be presented, e.g. such as sub-compacts, intermediates,luxury, sports, pickup trucks, station wagons, and/or SUVS.

Some embodiments of the dial and display selection interface systems 400c,400 d also preferably comprise access to three-dimensional display,animation, or movie clip 440, such as to provide a walk-around view of aproduct 514, to provide a walk-through of a building, or to accessmultimedia information regarding one or more product features. As well,sound access 440 preferably provides sound information, such asnarrative information, music, or other sound data 440.

System Operation. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a selectioninterface system 400, which comprises storage, navigation, and displayof items matching selected criteria. The database 116, 516 shown in FIG.10 is populated with selectable information corresponding to a pluralityof items 514 a-514 p. Each item component 514 comprises one or morefeatures 518 a-518 n, within which is assigned a corresponding value120, and typically comprises one or more corresponding images 410 a-410p. While the exemplary database 116, 516 shown in FIG. 10 is shown as asingle database entity 116,516, the stored information can reside at oneor more locations.

As seen in FIG. 10, a selection interface 404 comprises featureselectors 404 a-404 j, by which a user can readily navigate, select,view, compare and/or purchase items 514. As a user controls a featureselector 404, a selection signal 528 is sent to the system logic module530. The database 116,516 is queried 532, to determine one or more items514 which correspond to the combined selections 404 a-404 j. The results534, which correspond to one or more matching items 514, compriseproduct information and images 410. which are returned 534 and displayed536, either through the processor 530, or directly to the display screen502. An image 410, such as 410 a, is thereby displayed within the imageframe 408.

While some system embodiments 100 comprise HTML pages which are pulledin response to a selection, the selection interface system 400 isreadily integrated into other environments. Some current systemstructures pull, i.e. call, information from the database 116, 516 suchas through a job description in My SQL and PHP, wherein images areretrieved from an SQL database 116,516 and are displayed in response toJAVA commands.

While the selection interface 404 shown in FIG. 10 is shownindependently from the display screen 502, other embodiments of the userselection interface system 400 comprise an integral graphic userinterface system 400, such as seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

Network Embodiments and System Administration. FIG. 11 is a schematicview of selection and merchandising system 540 a, implemented across anetwork 104 on one or more client computers 106 a-106 k. FIG. 12 is aschematic view of selection and merchandising system 540 b, implementedacross a network 104 on various client devices, such as a computer 106,a wireless device 570, e.g. such as a personal digital assistant or apocket PC, a cell phone 572, and/or a dedicated terminal or kiosk 574.

As seen in FIG. 11, a vendor computer 550 is connected to the network104, and typically comprises a vendor interface 552 and vendor systemmodule 554, such as to provide system operating software and/or databasestorage 116,516 (FIG. 10). Similarly, a remote computer 560 may also beconnected to the network 104, comprising an administrative interface 564and an administration module 564, such as to provide system operatingsoftware and/or database storage 116,516 (FIG. 10), either inconjunction to a vendor computer 550, or as a central administrator formultiple vendors 550.

A vendor interface 552 and computer 550 allows a vendor user to inputitem information, such as items 514, features 518, and feature values520, as well as images 410, identifying words 422 (FIG. 8; FIG. 9), orother information 432 (FIG. 8; FIG. 9).

As seen in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, while some embodiments of the selectiveinterface system 400 are used for merchandising the items 514 of onemanufacture, e.g. such as through a single vendor computer 550,alternate system embodiments 400 are readily implemented to merchandiseitems 514 from a variety of manufacturers, such as through a pluralityof vendor computers 550, either in collaboration, or in conjunction witha remote computer 560. For example, the remote computer 560 shown inFIG. 12 may preferably be configured to as a host computer 560, toprovide a merchandising and comparison interface 404 for clientcomputers 106.

In a typical implementation of the dial and display selection interfacesystem 400 c, a home page comprises a main picture 410, which changessequentially, through a group of pre-selected images 410. These imagestypically reside in a folder of images 410 that are currently used onthe website. The unique image names 410 are typically chosen by aWebmaster, in advance of display to a website visitor, through a vendorinterface 552 or a website administration interface 564, so that justthe chosen images 410 are displayed. The images 410, as well assupplementary information, displayable to either a vendor user or andadministrative user, such as to display information that is similar tothat viewed by a client user, or to display information that is uniqueto a vendor user, such as but not limited to inventory values, profitmargin information, bill of materials information, parts lists, and/orsubassembly information.

The selection interface system 400 is readily adapted to a wide varietyof networks, processors, and operation system environments, whereininformation, such as a product image 410, is changed to reflect acurrent selection. For example, while some system embodiments 400comprise HTML pages which are pulled in response to a selection, theselection interface system 400 is readily integrated into otherenvironments. Some current system structures pull, i.e. call,information from the database 116,516 such as through a job descriptionin My SQL and PHP, wherein images 410 are retrieved from an SQL databaseand are displayed in response to JAVA commands, such that the image 410is changed, i.e. updated, in response to the selective controls 404.

Item Selection Axes and Nodes. FIG. 13 is a perspective schematic view580 of selectable nodes 584 on a plurality of selection axes 582 a-582n. Within the user selection system 400, a user may quickly navigate andselect one or more items 514 from a large plurality, i.e. a universe, ofitems 514, as represented by nodes 584 in FIG. 13. Selection dials 404provide control on one or more selection axes 582, such as betweenproduct values 520 for features 518 (FIG. 10). The nodes 584 areseparated 586, e.g. such as by 586 a or 586 b, such that a user istypically limited to select between node values 584, i.e. availablefeature values 120.

For example, in a wire mesh merchandising system 400 d (FIG. 9), meshvalues per inch are typically limited to either currently availablemeshes, or, upon special order, manufacturable meshes. Therefore, meshvalues which are not manufacturable, or are not currently available, donot appear as a valid node 584. Through subsequent selection and controlof selection dials 404, a user may quickly navigate to a mesh productwhich meets the needs of an end user and is also available ormanufacturable.

Alternate Interfaces. While several embodiments of the selectioninterface system 400 are integrated within a client network environment,alternate embodiments of the selection interface system 400 provide anenhanced selection interface for a variety of networked and stand-aloneapplications. Furthermore, while some embodiments of the selectioninterface system 400 comprise a graphic user interface 404, alternateembodiments combine mechanical selection controls 404 with a display408.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a kiosk 574 comprising a selectioninterface system 400 e, which can either be networked 104, as seen inFIG. 12, or can function as an independent selection kiosk 574, with aninternal processor 530 and database 516 e.g. such as for a store, ashopping center, a convention or a vending machine. In alternate kioskembodiments 574, stored item, product, entity, or commodity informationis updated periodically, such as to serve a point of service kiosk, e.g.such as for a store, a shopping center, or a convention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a selection interface system 400 fimplemented on a wireless device 590, comprising a selection dial 404,feature toggles 414, and an integral display 408. The wireless deviceselection interface system 400 f is readily adapted for a wide varietyof applications. For example, a user may quickly search for and select arestaurant while traveling, e.g. by subsequently controlling toggles 414for location, business, restaurant type, hours, budget, reviews, wherebythe display 408 may suitably provide images of a map, restaurant logo,and/or review information.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a selection interface system 400 gimplemented on a game device 600, in which a user game interface 604selects and controls game functions, such as through a game console 602and a television display 602. As well, the selection interface system400 g may comprise a graphic user interface 404 (FIG. 10) on the display602, for selection purposes within or peripherally to a game 605.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a selection interface system 400 himplemented for a machine control interface 610, comprising a selectiondial 404, feature toggles 414, and an integral display 408. The wirelessdevice selection interface system 400 f is readily adapted for a widevariety of control applications, such as for home appliances, forbusiness machines, or for industrial applications.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of selection interface system 400 iimplemented for an automobile 622, such as for navigation selection anddisplay, comprising a selection dial 404, feature toggles 414, and anintegral display 408. The automotive selection interface system 400 i isreadily adapted for a wide variety of automotive chores, such as formusic selection, navigation, engine monitoring, security, and/or HVACcontrol functions.

Sample System Applications. The selection interface system 400 i can beused for a wide variety of applications, and is ideally suited forenvironments in which a user desires to make a selection from a largeplurality of items and properties, such as but not limited to parts,components, assemblies, consumer goods, transportation, electronics, ormaterials. A user may readily select and gain access to an image 410 orother information 412, 422,432,434 related to a generic, i.e. availableitem/class of items 514 having multiple properties, by which a mostnearly matching item is selected from a universe of such items 514.

The selection interface system 400 allows a user to quickly navigate toa selection of one or more items 514, which most closely meet thedesired parameters 406, without wasting time with items 514 which do notmeet the desired parameters, while avoiding a specification of an item,such as a product, part, material, or commodity, which is not“available” or possible, i.e. not currently manufactured, not in stock,and/or is not a feasible selection.

Furthermore, as described above, the selection interface system 400 ireadily provides a composite selection interface, such as for profiling,animation, architecture, or modeling, wherein portions of an image 410are retrieved and displayed, in response to user selections 406.

As well, the selection interface system 400 i may readily be enhanced byfront-end or back-end systems. For example, an introductory screen on avehicle merchandising system can determine the class of vehicle to beselected. Similarly, a back-end enhancement in a vehicle selectionsystem may provide a product link, a shopping cart function, or a listof local suppliers.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view 700 which shows an exemplary front end 702and back end 706 to a selective interface system 400. As seen in FIG.19, the selective interface system 400 is readily accessed at a clientcomputer 106, e.g. 106 a (FIG. 11), either directly 704 c, or through awide variety of linked pages 704 a-704 p. For example, the centralselective interface system 400 shown in FIG. 19 is accessible through awelcome/security log-in screen 704 a, a product category selectionscreen 704 b, a direct link 704 c, an upper level selection interface704 d, or a pre-qualification interface 704 p.

Similarly, the selective interface system 400 preferably furthercomprises a selectable back end 706, either directly 708 c, to a widevariety of linked pages 708 a-708 q. For example, the central selectiveinterface system 400 shown in FIG. 19 is provides access to an iteminformation screen 708 a, e.g. as linked through a product link icon orbutton 452 (FIG. 8), a marked selections comparison screen 708 b, adirect external link 708 c, a lower level selection interface 708 d,e.g. to select more features 706, or an order/purchase interface 708 q,e.g. as linked through a buy icon or button 454 (FIG. 8).

In a back-end enhancement in a criminal suspect selection system 400,e.g. 400 b (FIG. 7), a retrieved image may additionally be rendered tomodify features, such as to provide age progression, or to change otherfacial characteristics, e.g. such as the addition of a beard, moustache,glasses, and/or scar. In a back-end enhancement in a cosmetic orreconstructive surgery selection system 400, a retrieved image mayadditionally be rendered to modify features, such as to provide agereduction, or to display other modifiable facial characteristics, e.g.such as for nose reshaping, wrinkle removal, and/or scar reduction.

The selection interface system 400 i is readily adaptable for otherselection systems, such as within a graphic user selection interface foreducation or entertainment items. For example, with a channel or movieselection interface, a user can easily navigate to desired programming,e.g. within selectable movie dial choices for movie type, movie year,and available stars, a user can readily navigate to search for westernmovies starring Gary Cooper within a given year.

Product Forms. As described above, information regarding available items514 is prepared and stored in a database 116, 516, such that theprocessor 102 (FIG. 3), 530 (FIG. 10) can retrieve and link appropriateselections 514.

FIG. 20 diagrams a form 1400 that corresponds to the implementation ofposition 302 (FIG. 5). A folder name 1402 is filled-in with“004X004G035.HTML”, e.g., the hypertext mark-up language (HTML) for 4×4mesh galvanized 0.035″ diameter. An URL 1404 designates where the HTMLfile will be found on the Internet, e.g., “ . . . /004X004G035.html”.This is read, using hypertext transfer protocol. Within the World WideWeb, at TWPINC.com, file 004X004G035.html. In actuality, the domain nameserver (DNS) converts the “TWPINC.com” part to a four-place Internetprotocol (IP) address in the form “00.00.00.00”. A category box 1406allows for a common grouping, e.g., “Hot Dipped Galvanized Wire Mesh”. Adescription box 1408 is used to enter the common product name, e.g.“4-Mesh 0.035 Wire Diameter”. A part number box 1410 providesinformation necessary to order this product, e.g., “004X004G035”. Aphoto-ID box 1412 identifies which GIF or JPG picture file relates tothis particular product, e.g., “252”. Such information is used tocontrol what appears in product picture 224 (FIG. 4). A ruler-size box1414 is filled in with information that corresponds to the scale used inthe picture file recited in the photo-ID box 1412. For example, “3 by 2inches”. A horizontal dimension box 1416 is filled-in with the number ofholes, left-to-right, represented in the product picture. A verticaldimension box 1418 is filled-in with the number of holes, top-to-bottom,represented in the product picture. A photo-comment box 1420 providesfor comments about the product picture. A photo-comment link box 1422provides for a file or URL link to information about the productpicture. A comments-done? box 1424 allows work-in-progress to be marked.

A four-way navigation symbol 1426 signals the four directions a user cannavigate, and corresponds to navigation window 202, especially buttons210-213 (FIG. 4). A next-finer weave box 1428 indicates a productdescription, file, or URL to be taken, e.g. “008X008G017”. A next-linkphoto box 1430 corresponds to the item in the next-finer weave box 1428.A next-lighter-wire box 1432 indicates a product description, file, orURL to be taken, e.g. “004X004G025”. A next-link photo box 1434corresponds to the item in the next-lighter-wire box 1432. Anext-heavier-wire box 1436 indicates a product description, file, or URLto be taken, e.g. “no-link”. See, position 314 (FIG. 5). A next-linkphoto box 1438 corresponds to the item in the next-heavier-wire box1436. A next-coarser weave box 1440 indicates a product description,file, or URL to be taken, e.g. “002X002D041”. A next-link photo box 1442corresponds to the item in the next-coarser weave box 1440. A commentsbox 1444 includes remarks that the webpage designer wants to appear inthe comments field (FIG. 4). Similarly, a price-table comments box 1446includes remarks that the webpage designer wants to appear when pricesare quoted. An alternate view-1 box 1448 is used for alternative productphotos that will be displayed as picture 224 in response to clicking onbutton 226 (FIG. 2). An alternate view-2 box 1450 is used foralternative product photos that will be displayed as picture 224 inresponse to clicking on button 228 (FIG. 4). An Excel spreadsheet namebox 1454 is used to link to a corresponding prices file, e.g., as wouldbe invoked in response to clicking button 230 (FIG. 4). A disk Excelspreadsheet name box 1456 is included.”

FIG. 21 diagrams a form 1500 that corresponds to the implementation ofposition 306 (FIG. 5). A folder name 1502 is filled-in with“008X008G017.HTML”, e.g. the hypertext mark-up language (HTML) file for8×8 mesh galvanized 0.017″ diameter. An URL 1504 designates where theHTML file will be found on the Internet, e.g. “ . . ./008X008G017.html”. The rest of the form 1500 is similar to thatrepresented in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 diagrams a form 1600 that corresponds to the implementation ofposition 310 (FIG. 5). A folder name 1602 is filled-in with“002X002G041.HTML”, e.g. the hypertext mark-up language (HTML) file for2×2 mesh galvanized 0.041″ diameter. An URL 1504 designates where theHTML file will be found on the Internet, e.g. “ . . ./002X002G041.html”. The rest of the form 1600 is similar to thatrepresented in FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 diagrams a form 1700 that corresponds to the implementation ofposition 318 (FIG. 5). A folder name 1702 is filled-in with“004X004D025.HTML”, e.g. the hypertext mark-up language (HTML) file for4×4 mesh galvanized 0.025″ diameter. An URL 1704 designates where theHTML file will be found on the Internet, e.g. “ . . ./004X004G025.html”. The rest of the form 700 is similar to thatrepresented in FIG. 20.

System Advantages. The user selection system 400 readily provides ameans whereby a user can quickly and efficiently browse, select,compare, and view items, such as within an Internet merchandisingsystem. Rather than random or categorized navigation between a largeplurality of products, a user may readily select from within a smallvariety of items which meet desired selection parameters 406 a-406 j,within an intuitive dial interface. Images 410 and other information isquickly retrieved and displayed for the user, typically within the sameinterface 400, such that the user can quickly select an item, product,or other commodity from a large universe of items, products, or othercommodities.

Although the invention is preferably described herein with reference tothe preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat other applications may be substituted for those set forth hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the Claims includedbelow.

1. A computer implemented selection interface system, comprising: adatabase comprising a stored image of an item and information whichcorresponds to a plurality of selectable characteristics that eachcomprise a set of parameters that modify the appearance or features ofsaid item; a processor configured to effect the display of a pluralityof circular selectors, each of said circular selectors uniquely linkedto one of the selectable characteristics of said item and operable toselect any of a corresponding one of said set of parameters associatedwith said one of said characteristics, said circular selectors defininga common central region; said processor configured to provide aselection lock associated with at least one of said circular selectorsand operable to lock a selected parameter within a selectablecharacteristic, wherein only items which meet a locked parameter areavailable for presentation to a user; and said processor configured toeffect the display of an image window located within the central regionlinked to the selectors, for display of an image which corresponds tothe item as modified by the selected parameters associated with theselected characteristics of said item; whereby the image thatcorresponds to each parameter selected from each a selectedcharacteristic is retrievably displayable on the image window.
 2. Theselection interface system of claim 1, at least a portion of theinformation is retrievably displayable on the image window.
 3. Theselection interface system of claim 1, wherein the image comprises asingle image which matches the selected characteristics.
 4. Theselection interface system of claim 1, wherein the image comprises acomposite image which matches the selected characteristics.
 5. Theselection interface system of claim 1, wherein the circular selectorsfurther comprise a mechanical interface.
 6. The selection interfacesystem of claim 1, wherein the circular selectors comprise a graphicuser interface.
 7. The selection interface system of claim 1, furthercomprising: means for displaying an alternate image which corresponds tothe selected characteristics.
 8. The selection interface system of claim1, further comprising: means for displaying an movie which correspondsto the selected characteristics.
 9. The selection interface system ofclaim 1, further comprising: means for presenting sound informationwhich corresponds to the selected characteristics.
 10. The selectioninterface system of claim 1, wherein the selectable characteristics areassociated with any of a product, commodity, item, material, and entity.